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Step 1
Expect the onset of gas gangrene to be sudden and dramatic. There will be a pale to brownish red inflammation at the site of the infection with very painful swelling. Gas may be felt under the skin when the swollen area is pressed and the infection can expand quickly enough to be seen. Blisters may form with brown-red fluid and have a bad-smelling discharge.
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Step 2
Use the extreme pain of the infection to distinguish gas gangrene from cellitus. This is due to the muscles not getting enough oxygen.
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Step 3
Observe systemic symptoms of gas gangrene such as moderate to high fever and sweating. The skin may be initially pale with cold extremities, but then become yellow as blood cells break down. The patient can develop hypotension, rapid heart rate, kidney failure, coma and death if left untreated.
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Step 4
Perform routine laboratory tests to indicate gas gangrene. Conduct a gram stain of infected fluid to see gram-positive bacteria. A CT scan, MRI or X-ray may show gas in the tissue.
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Step 5
Confirm the diagnosis by growing a culture of cloistridium from infected fluid or tissue.
